Researchers found that males keep track of the order of their songs and how often each one is sung for up to 30 minutes. This complex behavior allows them to curate both their current playlist and the next one, with variations in song order and repeats.
A recent study by Duke University researchers identified a critical salinity threshold of 265 parts per million sodium for understory plants in coastal wetlands. Above this level, the marsh floor undergoes significant changes, with rushes and reeds dominating over salt-tolerant plants.
A study ranking 81 countries on end-of-life care found that only six earned an A grade, while 36 received Ds or Fs. The US ranked 43rd, highlighting the need for improvement in palliative care globally. Experts emphasize the importance of making advance care plans and discussing wishes with loved ones.
Researchers at Duke University developed an artificial intelligence platform that analyzes potentially cancerous lesions in mammography scans. The algorithm is interpretable, showing physicians how it came to its conclusions, making it more trustworthy and useful for training students and aiding physicians in sparsely populated regions.
Research led by Diego Bohórquez at Duke University has identified the cells responsible for sensing sugar in the gut. These neuropod cells produce neurotransmitters that transmit signals to the brain, allowing animals to distinguish between real sugar and artificial sweetener.
A new study found that early human foragers and farmers adopted a high-risk, high-reward strategy to find food, spending more energy but bringing home nutritious meals that could be shared with their group. This allowed them to rest or engage in other activities while food was being acquired.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered paddlewheel-like molecular dynamics that help push sodium ions through a quickly evolving class of solid-state batteries. The insights will guide researchers in their pursuit of a new generation of sodium-ion batteries to replace lithium-ion technology.
Researchers found that increasing the solution pH makes niclosamide effective against SARS-COV-2 virus replication. A lower dose of niclosamide can also positively affect airway cells without harming them. This could enable safe and effective nose and throat sprays with added protection.
Researchers found high levels of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in anti-fogging sprays and cloths sold on Amazon. The products contained fluorotelomer alcohols and fluorotelomer ethoxylates, which are associated with impaired immune function, cancer, and other health disorders. The study highlights the need for more r...
In meerkat societies, testosterone-driven aggression enables cooperative breeding by creating a hierarchy where subordinates help raise the matriarch's pups. Researchers found that matriarchs' high testosterone levels drive their aggressive behavior, which maintains group structure.
A team of researchers at Duke University found that surprise can disrupt the stability of patterns in the hippocampus, leading to more false memories. This study has implications for understanding learning and memory, as well as how people recall events and faces.
Researchers at Duke University developed a lightweight material that traps thermal energy when dry but opens tiny vents to let heat escape when a person starts sweating. The material has potential as a patch on clothing to help keep the wearer comfortable, expanding thermal comfort zones by 30%.
A new AI algorithm, APOLLO, accurately predicts microprocessor power consumption by analyzing just 100 signals out of millions, offering potential to improve efficiency and develop new processors. The technique has been validated on high-performance microprocessors and could help designers inform future chip design.
A new rapid test developed by Duke University researchers can measure patient immunity against multiple COVID-19 variants like Omicron and Delta. The CoVariant-SCAN test uses a polymer brush coating to detect neutralizing antibodies, allowing for quick and accurate assessment of antibody effectiveness.
Duke researchers developed a method to increase the depth of view of optical coherence tomography (OCT), allowing for clear images from beyond a millimeter beneath the skin's surface. The new technique, known as dual-axis OCT, tilts the light source and detector to collect more scattered light from deep tissues.
Researchers at Duke University developed a holographic system that can image and analyze tens of thousands of cells per minute to spot signs of disease. The technique distinguished between healthy samples and cancerous or pre-cancerous cells with nearly 100% accuracy, using just four basic cellular physical parameters.
Researchers at Duke University have identified chemical compounds that can latch onto the coronavirus's 3D RNA structures and block replication. The compounds, which target the virus's RNA specifically, offer a new mechanism of action against COVID-19.
Research using ring-tailed lemurs shows that fecal microbiota transplants can stabilize and restore a healthy gut microbiome after antibiotic use. The study confirms the effectiveness of this ancient treatment for reducing the negative effects of antibiotics on the gut, which can cause severe diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Duke University scientists developed isotope-based tests to identify lead contamination origins and assess risk in urban soils. The new test can distinguish between legacy and modern sources of lead, helping public health officials track and remediate contaminated areas. Elevated lead levels pose long-term health risks for children.
A study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that conservatives with low conscientiousness are more likely to share misleading information. Conscientiousness plays a significant role in determining whether people share misinformation, regardless of political beliefs or social media usage.
Environmental engineers at Duke University demonstrated that sharp contrasts in small landscape features refine local weather developments and influence climate trends. The study suggests that incorporating detailed data can improve forecast accuracy.
Researchers at Duke University developed electrochromic technology that can alternate between harvesting heat from sunlight and allowing an object to cool. The device, which uses a thin layer of graphene and metal nanoparticles, demonstrates a tuning range of thermal radiation never seen before.
Researchers at Duke University used mini ecosystems to test the effects of warming on bacteria-eating protists. They found that simple measurements of species traits could predict their response to temperature, shedding light on how climate change will alter microbial communities and influence the pace of global warming.
Researchers at Duke University used new tools to monitor neurons and analyze machine learning data to see how zebra finches practice their courtship calls. They found that a neurotransmitter called noradrenaline shuts down variability in the song, making it more precise when performed under pressure.
A new pouch device has been developed to protect transplanted human liver cells from immune systems for up to six months, producing crucial biomolecules. This breakthrough offers a potential path toward treating human diseases without needing to suppress the patient's immune system.
African mammals suffered huge losses around the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, similar to those experienced by European and Asian species. The study used fossil data from multiple sites in Africa to build evolutionary trees for five mammal groups, revealing a drastic extinction event followed by recovery with new adaptations.
Electrical engineers at Duke University have discovered a way to extend the use of chalcogenide glasses into the visible and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. By nanostructuring these materials, they can create high-order harmonic frequencies that enable transmission of light at previously inaccessible wavelengths.
A study published in the Journal of Marketing found that complimenting a competitor can increase a brand's reputation and sales, particularly among skeptical consumers. The tactic is most effective when done strategically and authentically, signaling a brand's warmth and trustworthiness.
The living retina achieves sensitivity and efficiency that human engineers can only dream about, with optimized mosaics of different sensitivities parsing 40 visual features. The retinas adapt to current conditions and conserve energy by tuning out noise, making them orders of magnitude less power-hungry than smartphone sensors.
A Duke University-led study finds that if endangered primates disappear, up to 250 parasites could go extinct, including those with no other suitable hosts. This potential extinction cascade could have significant consequences for biodiversity and human health.
Researchers at Duke University developed an antibiotic coating that can be applied to orthopedic implants before surgery, eliminating the risk of infection. The coating, made from two polymers and an antibiotic, prevents bacterial colonization and can be personalized for individual patients.
Research from Duke University's Samuel DuBois Cook Center for Social Equity found that Black households lost more wealth than white families during the decade-long economic recovery following the Great Recession. The study also showed that Black working-class families remained in the worst overall economic position, entering the COVID-...
A recent study published in Nature reveals that pyrogenic iron from Australian wildfires fertilized the Southern Ocean, leading to unprecedented algal blooms. This phenomenon raises concerns about the role of wildfires in spurring phytoplankton growth, which absorbs large quantities of climate-warming carbon dioxide.
A study led by Duke University researchers found that nearly 2.7 million people in the US lost employer-based health insurance during the spring and summer of 2020, but gained coverage through government programs like Medicaid. The study suggests that recent policy changes created a safety net to support those affected by job loss.
Researchers at Duke University have developed an open-source software platform called ASCENT that allows non-experts to create patient-specific, 3D models of nerves being electrically stimulated. This enables more accurate predictions and potentially new therapies for diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A new platform called LEARNER allows researchers to share private patient data from multiple institutions while protecting privacy. This enables single institutions to access advanced predictive tools and improve patient outcomes.
A study using environmental DNA found that mountaintop coal mining impacts 40% fewer species in Appalachian streams. The team detected 28 species of fish in all 93 sampled mined streams, comparable to traditional methods.
Using complex-valued layers can improve performance against adversarial attacks without sacrificing efficiency. This technique, combined with gradient regularization, allows neural networks to resist small perturbations and maintain accuracy.
A new study reveals that retinoids trigger the development of plant lateral roots, which are regulated by a protein similar to those found in animal cells. This discovery showcases convergent evolution and opens up new avenues for understanding human development and finding medical treatments.
A new study estimates the intensity and frequency of extreme novel pandemics, finding that large pandemics like COVID-19 are relatively likely due to growing risks. The study suggests that a pandemic similar in scale to COVID-19 is likely within 59 years, highlighting the need for adjusted perceptions of pandemic risks.
A study on Homo floresiensis found its bite could exert around 1300 Newtons of force, comparable to modern humans and some extinct cousins. This suggests that the Hobbit might have been at greater risk of facial bone strain or dislocation when biting hard foods.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new approach to using sound waves to manipulate tiny particles suspended in liquid in complex ways. The 'shadow waveguide' technique creates a tightly confined, spatially complex acoustic field inside a chamber without requiring any interior structure.
A Duke University-led study found that bottlenose dolphins burn calories at a lower rate with age, similar to humans. The researchers measured the dolphins' average daily metabolic rate using the 'doubly labeled water method,' finding that older dolphins used 22% to 49% fewer calories each day than expected for their body weight.
A new study reveals that metabolism peaks in infancy, followed by a gradual decline until age 60, with the biggest slowdown after 90. The research suggests that tissue metabolism is changing over time, contradicting previous assumptions about lifestyle and body composition.
A study by Duke University researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the guts of lemurs living close to humans. The closer the contact, the more resistant bugs were found. Proximity to humans determined the type and abundance of resistance genes acquired.
Researchers at Duke University developed a robotic imaging tool that can automatically detect and scan patients' eyes for eye diseases, producing clear images in under 50 seconds. The system uses optical coherence tomography and is designed to be safe and accessible for optometrist offices, primary-care clinics, and emergency departments.
A Duke University study found that combining risk data with an imagination exercise helps participants make more realistic decisions about their own risky behaviors. The intervention, now integrated into a publicly accessible data dashboard, aims to improve public health decisions during the pandemic.
Researchers found that startups using A/B testing are more successful, with improved performance by 30-100% and higher product innovation rates. The study also found that smaller firms without financing can benefit the most from A/B testing, but use it least.
Scientists at Duke University have developed new tests to detect coal ash contamination in soil, finding high levels of arsenic, selenium, and other toxic elements. The tests revealed significant fly ash accumulation near coal-fired power plants, posing health risks to nearby communities.
A new study by Duke University finds that dogs have developed complex cognitive abilities similar to human babies after 14,000 years of domestication. The research tested dog and wolf puppies, revealing that dogs can intuitively understand human gestures and social cues.